Kenyon KEN (2-0-0, 0-0-0)

John Carroll JCU (1-1-0, 0-0-0)

Kenyon KEN

(2-0-0, 0-0-0)

Final

Sep. 01, 2024

John Carroll JCU

(1-1-0, 0-0-0)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Kenyon KEN	0	1	1
John Carroll JCU	0	0	0

Summary
Box Score

The Blue Streaks had their chances but the Owls found an opening and took advantage late.

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | 9/1/2024 3:38:00 PM | Joe Ginley '16, SID

Kenyon Outlasts Blue Streaks with Late Goal to Spoil Home Opener

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – For the final time for perhaps a while, John Carroll Men's Soccer and Kenyon met today in an early-season non-conference affair.

The Blue Streaks and Owls often play spirited matches, regional rivals with storied soccer traditions. But from here on out, JCU and Kenyon will play in the meat of the regular season as future North Coast Athletic Conference foes.

In a contest that lived up to the expectations with the action, #19 Kenyon outlasted John Carroll with a well-earned late goal in a 1-0 conquest.

From the very start, the teams were hard charging. The hosts' first chance occurred just 17 seconds into the contest, a Logan Penton shot on goal. In the fifth minute, JCU got a great chance. Jaden Wright slotted ahead a throughball straight ahead down the right side, finding Nicholas Graeca. The veteran fired it right to the Kenyon keeper, Jack Pedreschi.

Kenyon responded with a shot in the seventh minute and then rocketed a free kick off the crossbar in the 14th minute. That began a period of possession for the Owls. The referees kept a close eye on both teams, booking Patrick Koenig for a yellow card in the 20th. Other than that, it was a clean first half on paper, though with plenty of closely contested 50/50 balls.

Gradually the Blue Streaks started to gain more possession, earning some free kicks. In the 39th minute, the tide turned significantly in favor of JCU. Cade Gergye fired ahead a beautiful pass through the Kenyon defense. Jack Foht fended off an Owl but his shot rocketed high. Not long after that, Dylan Holm tried for his second goal in as many games, but was turned away.

John Carroll prodded the Kenyon defense for more time, though nothing super promising occurred until the 61st minute. Foht got an open look from the right side, but the Kenyon keeper was equal to the challenge.

A couple of promising passes looked promising as time elapsed. But they came up oh so close. As the time ticked down, JCU kept working hard for chances, though Kenyon didn't sit back, initiating some chances. In the 74th minute, the Blue Streaks looked to be poised to break through. Graeca fired in a shot off a free kick that the goalie deftly batted away low right. An ensuing corner was grabbed out of the air by Kenyon's keeper.

As time ticked away, substitutions became key on a sunny day, at times hot despite a breeze. And it would be a man who subbed back into the game who would make the difference.

In the 84th minute, reigning NCAC Midfielder of the Year Eamon Dujakovich found an opening on the right side. He fired a low shot that Daniel Kalic managed to stop right on the goal line, but not for long. Alem Duratovic slid in and pushed the ball past Kalic for the game-winning tally.

Despite late tries by JCU, the Owls held off the hosts for the victory.

JCU did outshoot the Owls, 13-9, including 7-2 on goal. JCU also had more corners, 4-1. Nicholas Graeca led JCU with 3 shots on goal.

Next Up
John Carroll hosts Carnegie Mellon in a showdown of strong sides on Thursday at Don Shula Stadium at 7 pm.

Print Friendly Version